Idioms for Success: Mastering Figurative Language in Business

Idioms are colorful expressions that add depth and nuance to the English language. Understanding and using idioms effectively is crucial for anyone aiming for success in professional settings.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to idioms related to success, covering their definitions, usage, and common pitfalls. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply an English language enthusiast, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently navigate the world of idioms and enhance your communication prowess.

Mastering idioms not only enriches your vocabulary but also helps you grasp the subtle undertones of conversations and written materials. In business, where clear and persuasive communication is paramount, a strong command of idioms can significantly boost your credibility and effectiveness.

This article aims to make the learning process engaging and accessible, providing numerous examples and practice exercises to solidify your understanding.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Idioms for Success
3. Structural Breakdown of Idioms
4. Types and Categories of Success Idioms
5. Examples of Idioms for Success
6. Usage Rules for Idioms
7. Common Mistakes with Idioms
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics in Idiom Usage
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Conclusion

Definition of Idioms for Success

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meanings of its individual words. Instead, it has a figurative meaning that is known through common usage.

Idioms related to success, specifically, are phrases that describe achieving goals, overcoming obstacles, and excelling in various endeavors. These idioms often draw on metaphors and analogies to convey complex ideas in a concise and memorable way.

Understanding these idioms is crucial for comprehending nuanced communication in both spoken and written English, especially within professional contexts.

Idioms function as a type of figurative language, adding color and depth to communication. They can be classified based on their structure (e.g., phrasal verbs, proverbs, clichés) and their thematic content (e.g., idioms about hard work, perseverance, luck).

The context in which an idiom is used is vital for accurate interpretation, as the same phrase can have different meanings in different situations. Recognizing and using idioms correctly can greatly enhance your communication skills and make you sound more natural and fluent.

Classification of Idioms

Idioms can be classified in various ways based on their structure and meaning. Some common classifications include:

• Phrasal Verbs: Combinations of verbs and prepositions or adverbs that have idiomatic meanings (e.g., “to pull off” meaning to succeed).
• Proverbs: Short, well-known sayings that express a general truth or piece of advice (e.g., “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”).
• Clichés: Overused idioms that have lost their impact but are still commonly used (e.g., “Think outside the box.”).
• Conceptual Metaphors: Idioms that are based on underlying metaphorical concepts (e.g., “Time is money”, leading to idioms like “invest time”).

Function of Idioms

Idioms serve several important functions in communication:

• Conciseness: They can convey complex ideas in a few words.
• Emphasis: They can add emphasis and emotion to a statement.
• Cultural Understanding: They reflect cultural values and beliefs.
• Engagement: They can make communication more engaging and memorable.

Context of Idioms

The context in which an idiom is used is crucial for accurate interpretation. Consider the following:

• Situation: The specific circumstances of the communication.
• Speaker: The background and intentions of the speaker.
• Audience: The knowledge and expectations of the audience.

Structural Breakdown of Idioms

Understanding the structure of idioms is essential for recognizing and using them correctly. Unlike literal phrases, idioms cannot be interpreted by simply adding up the meanings of their individual words.

Instead, they function as a single unit with a distinct figurative meaning. This section explores the structural elements and patterns that characterize idioms.

Idioms often involve metaphorical language, where one concept is understood in terms of another. For example, the idiom “hit the ground running” uses the metaphor of running to describe starting a task with great energy and efficiency.

The structural patterns of idioms can vary, including phrases, clauses, and even complete sentences. However, they all share the characteristic of having a non-literal meaning that is established through common usage.

Metaphorical Language in Idioms

Metaphorical language is a key element in many idioms. It involves using one concept to understand another, creating a figurative meaning that goes beyond the literal.

For example:

• “To go the extra mile”: This idiom uses the metaphor of physical distance to describe putting in extra effort.
• “To break the ice”: This idiom uses the metaphor of breaking ice to describe making a start in a social situation.

Structural Patterns of Idioms

Idioms can follow various structural patterns, including:

• Phrases: Short groups of words that form a single unit of meaning (e.g., “a piece of cake”).
• Clauses: Groups of words containing a subject and a verb (e.g., “to bite off more than you can chew”).
• Sentences: Complete statements that express a thought or idea (e.g., “When it rains, it pours.”).

Non-Literal Meaning

The defining characteristic of idioms is their non-literal meaning. This means that the meaning of the idiom cannot be derived from the literal meanings of its individual words. Instead, the idiom has a figurative meaning that is established through common usage. For example, the idiom “to call it a day” does not literally mean to name the current 24-hour period; it means to stop working on something.

Types and Categories of Success Idioms

Idioms related to success can be categorized based on the specific aspects of success they describe. This section explores different types of success idioms, including those related to hard work, perseverance, luck, and achievement.

Understanding these categories can help you choose the most appropriate idiom to convey your intended meaning. For example, if you want to describe the importance of hard work, you might use idioms like “burn the midnight oil” or “go the extra mile.” If you want to emphasize the role of luck, you might use idioms like “beginner’s luck” or “strike gold.” By understanding the nuances of each category, you can use idioms more effectively and precisely.

Idioms Related to Hard Work

These idioms emphasize the importance of effort and dedication in achieving success. They often involve metaphors of physical labor or intense activity.

• Burn the midnight oil: Work late into the night.
• Go the extra mile: Put in extra effort.
• Keep your nose to the grindstone: Work hard and diligently.
• Sweat blood: Work extremely hard.

Idioms Related to Perseverance

These idioms highlight the importance of persistence and determination in overcoming obstacles and achieving long-term goals. They often involve metaphors of resilience and endurance.

• Hang in there: Don’t give up.
• Keep at it: Continue working hard.
• Stay the course: Continue on the same path.
• When the going gets tough, the tough get going: Strong people rise to meet challenges.

Idioms Related to Luck

These idioms acknowledge the role of chance and good fortune in achieving success. They often involve metaphors of gambling or unexpected gains.

• Beginner’s luck: Success achieved by a novice due to chance.
• Strike gold: Discover something valuable or have a great success.
• Hit the jackpot: Have a big success or win a large prize.
• Lady luck is on your side: You are experiencing good fortune.

Idioms Related to Achievement

These idioms describe the feeling of accomplishment and the satisfaction of reaching a goal. They often involve metaphors of victory and celebration.

• Hit the bullseye: Achieve a goal perfectly.
• Reach for the stars: Aim for ambitious goals.
• Take the cake: Be the most successful or outstanding.
• Come out on top: Be victorious or successful.

Examples of Idioms for Success

This section provides a wide range of examples of idioms related to success, organized by category. Each example is accompanied by a definition and a sample sentence to illustrate its usage.

Understanding these examples will help you recognize and use idioms correctly in various contexts.

The tables below offer a comprehensive overview of idioms related to hard work, perseverance, luck, and achievement. Each table includes at least 20-30 examples, providing a rich resource for learning and practicing idiom usage.

By studying these examples, you can develop a deeper understanding of the nuances of English idioms and enhance your communication skills.

Examples of Hard Work Idioms

The following table provides examples of idioms related to hard work, along with their definitions and example sentences.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Burn the midnight oil	Work late into the night	She had to burn the midnight oil to finish the project on time.
Go the extra mile	Put in extra effort	He always goes the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.
Keep your nose to the grindstone	Work hard and diligently	If you want to succeed, you need to keep your nose to the grindstone.
Sweat blood	Work extremely hard	They sweated blood to get the company off the ground.
Work your fingers to the bone	Work extremely hard	She worked her fingers to the bone to provide for her family.
Be a workaholic	Someone who is addicted to working	He is a workaholic and often stays late at the office.
Be up to your ears in work	To be very busy	I’m up to my ears in work this week, so I can’t take on any new projects.
Plough through something	To finish something even though it is difficult	I had to plough through a lot of paperwork to get the deal done.
Hammer away at something	To work hard and consistently	They hammered away at the problem until they found a solution.
Get stuck in	To start doing something with enthusiasm	We need to get stuck in and start working on this project.
Pull your weight	To do your fair share of work	Everyone needs to pull their weight to ensure the project is successful.
Slave away	To work very hard with little reward	He slaved away at the factory for many years.
Be snowed under	To have too much work to deal with	I’m snowed under with emails and reports this week.
Put your shoulder to the wheel	To work hard	If we all put our shoulder to the wheel, we can finish this project on time.
Go all out	To put maximum effort into something	They went all out to make the event a success.
Be on the go	To be constantly busy	She is always on the go, juggling multiple projects at once.
Be a busy bee	To be very active and hard-working	He is a busy bee, always working on something.
Be a glutton for work	Someone who enjoys working hard	She is a glutton for work and always volunteers for extra tasks.
Work like a dog	To work very hard	He works like a dog to support his family.
Be on the treadmill	To be stuck in a routine of hard work	I feel like I’m on the treadmill, just going through the motions every day.
Go into overdrive	To work at an increased rate	We had to go into overdrive to meet the deadline.
Be a human dynamo	To be full of energy and hard-working	She is a human dynamo, always coming up with new ideas and projects.
Be a powerhouse	To be a strong and effective worker	He is a powerhouse in the company, always getting things done.

Examples of Perseverance Idioms

The following table provides examples of idioms related to perseverance, along with their definitions and example sentences.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Hang in there	Don’t give up	Hang in there, things will get better.
Keep at it	Continue working hard	If you keep at it, you’ll eventually succeed.
Stay the course	Continue on the same path	We need to stay the course and not be distracted by setbacks.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going	Strong people rise to meet challenges	When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and that’s exactly what we need to do.
Never say die	Never give up	He never says die, even when things look impossible.
Keep your chin up	Stay positive and hopeful	Keep your chin up, things will work out in the end.
Hold your head high	Remain confident and proud	Hold your head high, you’ve done nothing wrong.
Weather the storm	Survive a difficult period	We need to weather the storm and come out stronger on the other side.
Ride out the storm	Endure a difficult situation until it passes	The company is trying to ride out the storm of the economic downturn.
Keep the faith	Maintain hope and belief	Keep the faith, things will eventually improve.
Press on	Continue despite difficulties	We need to press on and not let obstacles stop us.
Persevere	Continue despite difficulties	Despite the setbacks, they persevered and achieved their goal.
Stick to your guns	Stand firm on your beliefs	He stuck to his guns and refused to compromise.
Stand your ground	Defend your position	She stood her ground and refused to back down.
Hang tough	Remain strong and determined	We need to hang tough and not give in to pressure.
Plod on	Continue steadily despite difficulties	They plodded on, slowly but surely making progress.
Tough it out	Endure a difficult situation	We just need to tough it out until things improve.
Bite the bullet	Endure a painful or unpleasant situation with courage	We had to bite the bullet and accept the pay cut.
Keep plugging away	Continue working steadily	He just kept plugging away until he finished the project.
Rise above	Overcome a difficult situation	We need to rise above the negativity and focus on our goals.
Come through	Succeed in a difficult situation	They came through despite all the challenges they faced.
Turn the corner	Reach a turning point and start to improve	The company has finally turned the corner and is now profitable.
See the light at the end of the tunnel	See signs of improvement after a difficult period	We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after months of hard work.

Examples of Luck Idioms

The following table provides examples of idioms related to luck, along with their definitions and example sentences.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Beginner’s luck	Success achieved by a novice due to chance	It was just beginner’s luck that she won the first game.
Strike gold	Discover something valuable or have a great success	They struck gold with their new product launch.
Hit the jackpot	Have a big success or win a large prize	He hit the jackpot when he won the lottery.
Lady luck is on your side	You are experiencing good fortune	Lady luck is on your side today – you won two prizes!
In the right place at the right time	Being present when something fortunate happens	He was in the right place at the right time to get the job offer.
A stroke of luck	A sudden piece of good fortune	It was a stroke of luck that we found the missing documents.
Fall into something	Get something unexpectedly	He fell into the job after a chance encounter.
Come up smelling of roses	Emerge from a difficult situation with your reputation intact	Despite the scandal, he came up smelling of roses.
Have a charmed life	To seem to always be lucky	She seems to have a charmed life – everything always works out for her.
Get a lucky break	To receive a piece of good fortune	He got a lucky break when he met the CEO at the conference.
Cash in on	To profit from a situation	They cashed in on the popularity of the new trend.
Come into a fortune	To inherit a large sum of money	He came into a fortune after his grandfather passed away.
Win big	To have a great success	The company won big with their new product launch.
Have all the luck	To be very fortunate	She seems to have all the luck – everything goes her way.
Against all odds	Despite facing many challenges	Against all odds, they managed to win the championship.
By a fluke	By chance or accident	He won the game by a fluke.
Have a golden touch	To be successful in everything you do	She seems to have a golden touch – every business she starts is a success.
Have a rabbit’s foot	To be lucky	He must have a rabbit’s foot – he always wins.
Chance your arm	To take a risk	He decided to chance his arm and invest in the new venture.
Stick or twist	To continue with a plan or change it	It’s a case of stick or twist – do we continue with the project or abandon it?
Stake your claim	To assert your right to something	They staked their claim to the new territory.
Fortune smiles on you	To be lucky	Fortune smiles on you today!
Be born with a silver spoon in your mouth	To be born into wealth and privilege	He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and never had to work a day in his life.

Examples of Achievement Idioms

The following table provides examples of idioms related to achievement, along with their definitions and example sentences.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Hit the bullseye	Achieve a goal perfectly	They hit the bullseye with their marketing campaign.
Reach for the stars	Aim for ambitious goals	You should always reach for the stars and strive for greatness.
Take the cake	Be the most successful or outstanding	Her performance took the cake – it was the best of the night.
Come out on top	Be victorious or successful	Despite the challenges, they came out on top.
Go places	Be successful in the future	He is a talented young man and will go places in his career.
Make it big	Become very successful	She dreamed of making it big in Hollywood.
Be a success story	To be successful	His journey from humble beginnings is a true success story.
Be on top of the world	To feel extremely happy and successful	After winning the championship, they were on top of the world.
Make your mark	To have a significant impact	He wants to make his mark on the world through his inventions.
Climb the ladder	To advance in a career	She worked hard to climb the ladder in the company.
Breakthrough	A sudden advance or discovery	The scientists made a major breakthrough in cancer research.
Go from strength to strength	To become increasingly successful	The company has been going from strength to strength in recent years.
Achieve your potential	To reach your full capabilities	He is determined to achieve his potential in his chosen field.
Realize your dreams	To make your dreams come true	She finally realized her dreams of becoming a doctor.
Reach the top	To achieve the highest level of success	He worked tirelessly to reach the top of his profession.
Be a winner	To be successful	He has a winning attitude and is always a winner.
Carry the day	To win or succeed	Their team carried the day in the final competition.
Get ahead	To make progress and be successful	He is determined to get ahead in his career.
Go far	To be very successful	She is a talented musician and will go far in her career.
Make headway	To make progress	They are making headway on the construction project.
Pass with flying colors	To succeed easily	She passed the exam with flying colors.
Set the world on fire	To be very successful and make a big impact	He is determined to set the world on fire with his new invention.
Top of the heap	The most successful person or thing	He is now at the top of the heap in his industry.

Usage Rules for Idioms

Using idioms correctly requires an understanding of their specific meanings and the contexts in which they are appropriate. This section outlines the key rules for using idioms effectively, including considerations for formality, audience, and cultural sensitivity.

One of the most important rules is to avoid using idioms in overly formal or technical writing, where precise and literal language is preferred. Additionally, it’s crucial to be aware of your audience and choose idioms that they are likely to understand.

Using unfamiliar idioms can confuse or alienate your audience. Finally, be mindful of cultural differences, as some idioms may have different meanings or be considered offensive in other cultures.

Formality of Idioms

The level of formality should be considered when using idioms. Some idioms are more appropriate for informal conversations, while others are suitable for professional settings.

Avoid using overly casual idioms in formal presentations or written reports.

Audience Awareness

Consider your audience when choosing idioms. Ensure that your audience is familiar with the idioms you use.

If you are speaking to an international audience, it may be best to avoid idioms altogether or to explain them clearly.

Cultural Sensitivity

Be aware of cultural differences when using idioms. Some idioms may have different meanings or be considered offensive in other cultures.

It is always best to err on the side of caution and avoid using idioms that may be misinterpreted or cause offense.

Literal vs. Figurative Meaning

Always remember idioms have a figurative meaning, not a literal one. Do not attempt to interpret an idiom by examining the individual meanings of its words.

Common Mistakes with Idioms

One of the most common mistakes with idioms is misinterpreting their meaning. Because idioms have a non-literal meaning, it’s easy to misunderstand them if you’re not familiar with their correct usage.

Another common mistake is using idioms inappropriately in formal contexts. Idioms are generally more suitable for informal conversations and less appropriate for formal writing or presentations.

Additionally, many learners make errors by altering the standard wording of an idiom, which can change its meaning or make it nonsensical.

To avoid these mistakes, it’s important to study idioms in context, pay attention to their specific meanings, and practice using them correctly. When in doubt, it’s always better to use clear, literal language rather than risking misusing an idiom.

The table below illustrates some common mistakes and provides the correct alternatives.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
He burned the midnight oil too much.	He burned the midnight oil.	“Too much” is redundant. The idiom already implies a significant effort.
She went an extra mile.	She went the extra mile.	The correct phrase is “the extra mile,” implying a specific additional effort.
Keep your nose on the grindstone.	Keep your nose to the grindstone.	The correct preposition is “to,” not “on.”
They sweated bloods to finish.	They sweated blood to finish.	“Blood” is uncountable, so it doesn’t take a plural form.
Hang in there tight.	Hang in there.	“Tight” is redundant. The idiom already implies holding on firmly.
Keep at it on.	Keep at it.	The “on” is unnecessary and incorrect.
Stay the path.	Stay the course.	The correct phrase is “stay the course,” referring to a specific direction.
When the going gets rough, the rough get going.	When the going gets tough, the tough get going.	The correct word is “tough”, not “rough”.
Lady luck is by your side.	Lady luck is on your side.	The correct preposition is “on,” not “by.”
He stroke gold with his new product.	He struck gold with his new product.	The correct verb is “struck”, the past tense of “strike”.

Practice Exercises

These practice exercises will help you reinforce your understanding of idioms related to success. Each exercise consists of 10 questions, and the answers are provided at the end of the section.

By completing these exercises, you can assess your knowledge and identify areas where you need further practice.

The exercises include a variety of question types, such as multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and sentence completion. These exercises are designed to test your ability to recognize idioms, understand their meanings, and use them correctly in context.

Make sure to review the examples and usage rules before attempting the exercises.

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. She had to ______ to finish the project on time.	(a) burn the midnight candle (b) burn the midnight oil (c) burn the midnight gas (d) burn the midnight fire	(b)
2. He always ______ to ensure customer satisfaction.	(a) goes the extra step (b) goes the extra mile (c) goes the extra inch (d) goes the extra yard	(b)
3. If you want to succeed, you need to ______.	(a) keep your nose on the grindstone (b) keep your nose to the grindstone (c) keep your nose at the grindstone (d) keep your nose by the grindstone	(b)
4. They ______ to get the company off the ground.	(a) sweated tears (b) sweated water (c) sweated blood (d) sweated juice	(c)
5. ______, things will get better.	(a) Hang in there (b) Hang on there (c) Hang up there (d) Hang out there	(a)
6. If you ______, you’ll eventually succeed.	(a) keep at it (b) keep on it (c) keep in it (d) keep by it	(a)
7. We need to ______ and not be distracted by setbacks.	(a	(a) stay the road (b) stay the path (c) stay the course (d) stay the lane	(c)
8. ______, and that’s exactly what we need to do.	(a) When the tough gets going, the tough get going (b) When the going gets tough, the tough get going (c) When the rough gets going, the rough get going (d) When the tough gets going, the rough get going	(b)
9. It was just ______ that she won the first game.	(a) beginner’s wish (b) beginner’s hope (c) beginner’s dream (d) beginner’s luck	(d)
10. They ______ with their new product launch.	(a) struck silver (b) struck bronze (c) struck gold (d) struck lead	(c)

Exercise 2: Fill-in-the-Blank

Complete each sentence with the correct idiom.

Question	Answer
1. He ______ when he won the lottery.	hit the jackpot
2. You should always ______ and strive for greatness.	reach for the stars
3. Her performance ______ – it was the best of the night.	took the cake
4. Despite the challenges, they ______.	came out on top
5. He is a talented young man and will ______ in his career.	go places
6. She dreamed of ______ in Hollywood.	making it big
7. His journey from humble beginnings is a true ______.	success story
8. After winning the championship, they were ______.	on top of the world
9. He wants to ______ on the world through his inventions.	make his mark
10. She worked hard to ______ in the company.	climb the ladder

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete each sentence with a relevant idiom to make it meaningful.

Question	Answer
1. Despite facing numerous setbacks, the team decided to ______.	stay the course
2. To ensure the project’s success, everyone must ______.	pull their weight
3. After months of hard work, we are finally ______.	seeing the light at the end of the tunnel
4. The entrepreneur ______ when his innovative startup took off.	struck gold
5. Despite the initial failures, she refused to ______.	never say die
6. As the deadline approached, the team had to ______.	burn the midnight oil
7. She ______ by consistently exceeding expectations.	went the extra mile
8. The company ______ after implementing the new strategies.	turned the corner
9. In the face of adversity, it’s important to ______.	keep your chin up
10. He ______ and secured the lucrative deal.	carried the day

Advanced Topics in Idiom Usage

Beyond basic understanding and usage, there are advanced aspects of idioms that can further enhance your communication skills. This section explores these advanced topics, including idiom variation, creative idiom usage, and the use of idioms in persuasive communication.

Idiom variation involves understanding how idioms can be slightly altered to fit different contexts while still retaining their basic meaning. Creative idiom usage involves using idioms in novel and imaginative ways to add flair to your communication.

The use of idioms in persuasive communication involves strategically using idioms to make your arguments more compelling and memorable. Mastering these advanced topics will enable you to use idioms with greater confidence and sophistication.

Idiom Variation

Idioms are not always fixed expressions and can sometimes be varied to fit different contexts. However, it’s important to be careful when varying idioms, as too much alteration can change their meaning or make them nonsensical.

Some common types of idiom variation include:

• Tense changes: Adjusting the tense of the verbs in an idiom to match the time frame of the sentence (e.g., “He has gone the extra mile”).
• Pronoun changes: Changing the pronouns in an idiom to match the subject of the sentence (e.g., “I need to pull my weight”).
• Adjective/adverb modification: Adding adjectives or adverbs to emphasize certain aspects of the idiom (e.g., “He really went the extra mile”).

Creative Idiom Usage

Idioms can be used creatively to add flair and originality to your communication. This involves using idioms in novel and imaginative ways, such as:

• Combining idioms: Blending two or more idioms to create a new, hybrid expression (e.g., “He burned the midnight oil to hit the bullseye”).
• Twisting idioms: Altering an idiom slightly to create a humorous or ironic effect (e.g., “She didn’t just go the extra mile, she went the extra marathon”).
• Extending metaphors: Developing the metaphorical imagery of an idiom to create a more vivid and detailed picture (e.g., “He didn’t just strike gold, he discovered a whole new gold mine”).

Idioms in Persuasive Communication

Idioms can be powerful tools in persuasive communication, helping to make your arguments more compelling and memorable. To use idioms effectively in persuasive communication, consider the following:

• Target your audience: Choose idioms that resonate with your audience’s values and beliefs.
• Use vivid imagery: Select idioms that create strong mental images and evoke emotions.
• Emphasize key points: Use idioms to highlight the most important aspects of your argument.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering idioms related to success is an invaluable asset for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills and achieve their goals. By understanding the definitions, structures, and usage rules of these colorful expressions, you can add depth and nuance to your language, making your communication more engaging and effective.

Whether you’re navigating the complexities of the business world or simply striving for personal growth, a strong command of idioms will undoubtedly give you a competitive edge.

Continue to practice and expand your knowledge of idioms, and you’ll find that your ability to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact will grow exponentially. Remember, idioms are not just words; they are windows into the cultural and linguistic richness of the English language.

Embrace them, and you’ll unlock new levels of understanding and expression.